Tom Brook has been promoted to the position of partner at Appleby Isle of Man.

He spent six years in the banking and finance teams of two UK based international law firms before joining Appleby’s corporate team in Athol Street, Douglas, in 2011.

Mr Brook is a qualified lawyer in England and Wales (qualified in 2007), the British Virgin Islands (qualified in 2011) and most recently he was commissioned as a Manx advocate in May of this year.

In addition to his specialism in both international and local debt finance matters, Mr Brook also has a corporate finance and M&A (mergers and acquisitions) practice.

He has advised Appleby’s clients on some of the largest and most significant IPOs (initial public offerings), mergers and acquisitions that have taken place in the jurisdiction over the last few years.

Mr Brook said: ‘Appleby has an excellent team of people here in the Isle of Man and it is a privilege to have been appointed as a partner in what is a very strong corporate team. It is a real career highlight for me and I am looking forward to contributing to the continued growth and improvement of the practice.’

Appleby Isle of Man managing partner Faye Moffett, said: ‘Tom is a highly valued colleague and well-respected lawyer, and he thoroughly deserves this promotion to partner.’

Meanwhile Appleby has announced the promotion of corporate lawyers Alexandra (Lexi) Dernie and Katherine Johnson to senior associate.

Both Mrs Dernie and Ms Johnson joined the firm as trainees in 2011 and since qualifying in 2013 have gained experience across a broad range of corporate matters.

Mrs Dernie practises matters including banking and asset finance, aviation and commercial property. She co-wrote the Isle of Man chapter of ‘Aircraft Liens and Detention Rights’ published by Thomson Reuters in 2019.

Legal 500 UK 2018 ranked her as a ‘Next Generation’ lawyer in commercial property, commended for being ‘always approachable’.

Ms Johnson is Appleby Isle of Man’s funds specialist. She also undertakes a variety of regulatory work, including providing data protection advice, and has acted on a number of mergers and acquisitions, as well as providing general corporate legal advice.

Ms Johnson recently spoke on a panel at the Hedge Fund Emerging and Start-up Manager Forum in London addressing the legal, compliance and regulatory issues for emerging managers.

Managing partner, Faye Moffett, said: ‘Lexi and Katherine’s promotions are thoroughly deserved. It is always pleasing to see our once trainee lawyers grow and flourish.

‘At Appleby we are proud of our track record of training advocates and retaining talent; Lexi and Katherine are perfect examples of this.’

Some 60% of Appleby Isle of Man’s advocates have trained with the firm.

The firm employs almost 70 people in the Isle of Man. It is continuing to expand and is currently looking to recruit a corporate lawyer.